This study focuses on the backlighting of Buddhist statues based on the Chinese translated sutras before the fifith century. My study will mainly focus on the textual study, interpretation and analysis, meanwhile using the statue of the Buddha as an example, to explore the profound meaning conveyed by the "Buddha's Light". The research approach is as follows: (1) A philological study on its historical background (2) The definitions and meanings of the backlighting images (3) A research on the origins and contexts of the related Chinese texts, using the theme, appearance, and subject matter of the statue backlight as clues. First of all, this study explicates the origins of the Indian Buddhist art statues. I will explore the whole evolution of change from Buddhist pagodas to humanlike statues, including its procedure, reasons, influences and its prototype; I will then try to find out their differences and methods of practice based on the texts of the mahā-puruṣalakṣaṇa. Furthermore, I will clarify their characteristics, meanings, types, purposes, colors of light and also the differences between "permanent light" and "radiant light" and then the place where the light shines. Finally, following the contexts of the problem, I will, one by one, analyze, interpret, and discusses the Buddhist texts and hope to grasp the whole picture.
This thesis uses the backlight of the sculptural Buddha statue in the relics of Buddhist statues before the fifth century as an example and studies the shape, style and subject matter of the backlight. Firstly, in regards to the Indian statues before the fifth century, we discuss the shape and characteristics of the backlight of the Buddha statues of Gandhāra Mathura and individually examine the group portraits such as the serving bowls of the Four Heavenly Kings, the group of the Brahma and Emperor Shakki, the group of Avalokiteśvara and Maitreya Bodhisattva and also the subject matters of Three Daobao Ladders and of Buddha teaching Dharma for his mother in the Heven of Trayastriṃśa. I will clarify the contexts of their developments and their characteristics by bridging the relationship between appearances of the backlit of the Buddha statues and the texts. Secondly, I will discuss the characteristics of the backlight of the later Gandhāra "Flaming-shouldered Buddha" statue. As regards to the concept of the Dharmakāya of the "seven Buddhas of the past", I will expound the meaning of the six paramitas and the origin of the Chinese Buddhist scriptures. Basing on the Chinese texts, I will examine how the Flame Shoulder Buddha has been named and when and why his statue was made and also the evolution of the statue. Finally, I will study and analyze other backlit themes, such as the Great Miracle at Sravasti, the story of subduing the poisonous dragon and three Kaśyapas, and Dīpaṅkara Buddha’s Prophecy for the Mānava Bodhisattva, and identify the possible sources of these stories in the Chinese Buddhist texts.
I also explore the backlight and characteristics of the Chinese Buddha statues before the fifth century. On
